Method of viral inhibition

Abstract

This invention relates to methods of treating or preventing viral infections caused by flaviviruses, such as dengue virus, yellow fever virus, West Nile virus or Japanese encephalitis virus or infections caused by Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The methods involve the administration of retinoic acid analogues to subjects who have, are suspected of having a flavivirus infection or infection with CHIKV, or to those who are at risk of becoming infected with a flavivirus or becoming infected with CHIKV.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of preventing Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection in a subject having or suspected of having CHIKV, comprising:
 administering a daily dose of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) to the subject of up to 4,000 mg/m 2 /day during the period of time in which the subject is at risk of exposure.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising administering the daily dose of 4-HPR of up to 4,000 mg/m 2 /day for 1 to 5 days prior to being exposed to CHIKV, and/or for 1 to 14 days after being exposed to CHIKV. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the subject has had a prior CHIKV infection. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the dose administered is a single daily dose or divided daily doses. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the subject is not being administered an anti-viral agent other than 4-HPR. 
     
     
         20 . A method of preventing or delaying the onset of one or more symptoms of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in a subject at risk of being exposed to CHIKV, comprising:
 administering a daily dose of N-(4-hydrophenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) to the subject of up to 4,000 mg/m 2 /day during the period of time in which the subject is at risk of exposure.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising administering the daily dose of 4-HPR of up to 4,000 mg/m 2 /day for 1 to 5 days prior to being exposed to CHIKV, and/or for 1 to 14 days after being exposed to CHIKV. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more symptoms of CHIKV is selected from the group consisting of sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, rash, severe joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting and mild bleeding. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the subject has had a prior CHIKV infection. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the dose administered is a single daily dose or divided daily doses. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the subject is not being administered an anti-viral agent other than 4-HPR. 
     
     
         26 . A method of reducing the severity of one or more symptoms of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in a subject having or suspected of having CHIKV, comprising:
 administering a daily dose of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) to the subject of up to 4,000 mg/m 2 /day, wherein the subject is not being administered an anti-viral agent other than 4-HPR.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein reducing the severity of one or more symptoms of CHIKV comprises attenuating, ameliorating, or eliminating one or more symptoms of CHIKV, or comprises prevention or delay of onset of symptoms of CHIKV. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more symptoms of CHIKV is selected from sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, rash, severe joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, and mild bleeding. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising administering the daily dose of 4-HPR of up to 4,000 mg/m 2 /day for 1 to 14 days after onset of one or more symptoms of CHIKV. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the subject has had a prior CHIKV infection. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the dose administered is a single daily dose or divided daily doses. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising administration of a second therapeutic selected from aspirin, acetaminophen, codeine, and NSAIDS. 
     
     
         33 . A method of preventing West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in a subject having or suspected of having WNV, comprising:
 administering a daily dose of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) to the subject of up to 4,000 mg/m 2 /day during the period of time in which the subject is at risk of exposure.   
     
     
         34 . A method of reducing the severity of one or more symptoms of West Nile virus (WNV) or Dengue virus (DENV) in a subject having or suspected of having WNV or DENV, comprising:
 administering a daily dose of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) to the subject of up to 4,000 mg/m 2 /day.